Carding machine



' sepf,'3o, 1947.

c. E.wHrrE ETAL CARDING MACHINE Filed July 21, 1945 5 Sheets-Shed?, l-

In' venian;

Sept. 30, 1947. c. E. WHITE ET Al.

CARDING MACHINE Filed Juiy 21, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 30, 1947.

C. E. WHITE ET AL CARDING MACHINE Filed July' 21, 1945 11n/ej: fors 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Amy/S Sept- 30, 1947. c. E.wH1Tl-: ETAL. 2,428,255

' CARDING MACHINE Filed July 21, 1945 5 Sheets-sheet 5 Patented Sept. 30, 1947 CARDING MACHINE Charles E. White and Ernest Clark, Abington,

Mass., assignors to Abington Textile Machinery Works, Boston, Mass., a trust of Massachusetts Application July 21, 1945, Serial No. 606,310

The present invention relates to carding :machines, and more particularly to improvements in pneumatic stripping apparatus of the type shown in Clark Patent 2,281,268 and in White Patent 2,281,344, both dated April 28, 1942.

In the machines shown in said patents, vacuum stripping apparatus is disclosed which is adapted, after the apparatus has been set in motion, to carry out the stripping operation automatically, and on completion of stripping to shut 01T the suction and to start the feed. As a result, th'e operator` need visit the machine only twice for a stripping operation, once when the feed is disconnected and the stripping is started and again, after the termination of the stripping, when the newly carded material is ready for piecing. Y

It is the object of the present invention to provide certain simplifications and improvements in the stripping apparatus of said prior patents, so as to permit more eiective utilization of substantially automatic stripping mechanism operating in accordance with the general principles disclosed in said patents.

The several features of the apparatus of th'e present invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in right side elevation of a portion of a carding machine embodying the invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are detail views in left side and in front elevation of the portion of the machine in the vicinity of the suction nozzle; Figs. 4 and 5 are views in plan and elevation, respectively, of the timing mechanism shown in the bottom portion of Fig. 1; Figs. 6 and 'l are deders at periodic intervals, suction nozzles I6 and l8 are provided which are connected by means of a flexible conduit extending upwardly to a control valve indicated generally at 22. This control valve is positioned above the machine substantially as shown in Fig. 1 of the White patent, and similarly is connected by a suction pipe to a suction source, notl illustrated. The nozzles I6 and I8 are secured to a nozzle carriage 24 mounted for movement transversely of the machine, be`

ing caused to traverse the cylinders by means of a rotating screw 25 which is engaged during stripping by a pawl on the nozzle carriage'.

The suction nozzle for the main cylinder eX- tends through a slot in the cylinder shroud 26.

Except when stripping, the slot is closed by a hinged cover 21. During the traverse of the suction nozzle, the cover is held openr by a latch 28, the latch being released by the suction nozzle as the latter completes its traverse.

The traverse mechanism is similar to that disclosed in Clark Patent No- 1,614,103, dated J anuary 11, 1927, wherein the nozzle carriage, during stripping, is advanced by the screw from right to left. As the carriage approaches the end of the cylinder, the pawl is caused to disengage from the traverse screw 25 by means of a release plate 29 onto which the pawl rides.

While the stripping of the cylinders isbeing carried out, the feed to the dofter is stopped by disconnecting bevel gears 3|]-, 32 by which the doffer l2 is normally connected through longitudinal shaft 34 to the feed shaft, not shown. The disconnection and reconnection of the feed is effected by means of an eccentric bushing 36 carried in bracket 38 and in which the shaft 3E is journaled.

During the stripping operation, the suction valve is latched open by mechanism to be described. According to the present invention, connections are provided by which, after the nozzles have completed their traverse, the suction valve may be closed at the same time that the feed is thrown in. In order that the left hand end of the cylinder may be properly stripped,

the suction cut-oli does not occur simultaneously with the arrival of the carriage at the end of the traverse, but is eiected a sufficient time thereafter to permit one or lmore revolutions of the doier to take place.` 'Ihe valve closing is accordingly not determined by the completion of the traverse, but by the rotation of the doffer cylinder, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The valve closing, therefore, while dependent on completion of the nozzle traverse for making the connection in the train of valve release mechanism is nevertheless eiiected by timing mechanism which is set in operation independently of the nozzle traverse motion.

The suction control Valve is oi the same general type as that shown in Clark Patent 2,281,268, and includes a valve plate 40 having an opening 42 which is adapted to register with the suction passage when the valve is open. The plate is pivotedY on a stud 44 which permits the plate to rock arm |65 secured to the other end of the rock shaft. A weight |68 supported on a bracket secured to rock arm |62 tends to rotate the latter in a direction to maintain the roller |60 in operative relation to the cam block.

iIn connection with the operation of a carding machine, it is necessary periodically to grind the ends of the Wires on the doffer. During this operation it is essential that the feed remain. off. To insure that the feed will remain locked out during this operation,the timing mechanism is arranged to permit the feed to be locked out by positive means. This is accomplished by ratchet lock |14 on the rock arm let. This lock is adapted to engage a shoulder |15 on the latch disc when the eccentric bushing is in a position in rwhich the bevel gears are disengaged. The lock is maintained by lifting both the pawll and the latch and causing the pawl lock-out pin it to engage a notched lug itt upstanding from the latch release plate i3d. Such engagement requires rotation of the rock shaft ltt to such position that the rachet lock il@ positively engages the shoulder I'l. Under these conditions both the pawl and the latch remain unaifected by doier rotation, as the cam roller is held away from the cam block, While normally, during stripping, the operator may, if desired, shut off the suction and throw in the feed before a travverse has been completed, merely by lifting handle ||2 and causing the latch to be released, the positive lock-out can be released only disengaging the lock-out pin from behind the latch plate lug, thus insuring against accidental resumption of the feed during grinding.

To assist the operator, who may have several machines in his charge, in supervising the operation thereof, means are provided for indicating when the sliver is up to weight and ready for piecing, following the completion of a stripping operation and resumption of feed. The indication is given by a signal arm |99 which is caused to rise, after the doifer has rotated a predetermined number of revolutions with feed in, suflcient to build up the required weight of newly formed sliver for piecing to the end of the sliver produced prior to the stripping operation.

The signal flag is actuated by connections from longitudinal shaft 3d comprising worm |82 secured to the shaft, sector |34, and link |35. The sector is so mounted in relation to the worm that when the feed is thrown out by rotating the eccentric bushing 36 to disengage the bevel gears 3Q, 32, the Worm and sector are likewise disengaged. The signal nag then drops to horizontal position under the influence vof counterweight |92. Throughout the stripping operation, the worm and sector remain out of engagement, but upon completion of the stripping and resumption of feed, by rotation of the eccentric bushing by the timing mechanism, the worm and sector are engaged. Rotation of feed shaft 311 thus moves sec-- tor |84 counterclockwise to swing the signal flag upwardly. After the doffer has rotated a predetermined number of turns sufficient to build up the sliver for piecing, the sector runs off the worm. At this time the flag is vertical, indicating to the operator that the stripping operation has been completed, that feed to the doffer has been resumed, and that the step of piecing the sliver is now ready to be performed to resume carding. (As shown in Fig. 1, the parts are in intermediate position, the flag having risen about half-way toward signal position.) During the normal carding operation the iiag remains vertica1 and the end of the sector clicks against the worm, so that upon the next interruption offeed the flag will drop.

The timing mechanism, with its associated actuating connections, permits stripping to be carried out accurately and with a minimum of attention. To initiate a stripping operation, the operator shifts the nozzle across the machine, at the same time pulling on cord 5G to open the suction control valve, The operator then lowers handle ||2 of the timing mechanism to the limit of its movement, to throw out the feed and initiate the timing period forthe stripping, The signal flag now drops, and the machine is allowed to proceed automatically with the stripping. When the nozzle reaches the limit of its traverse, the connections between the timing mechanism and the valve release are completed, preparatory to actuation. After the timing mechanism has run through the remaining rack teeth to allow for stripping the end of the cylinder, these connections are actuated to shut olf the suction at the same time the feed is resumed. When the sliver has built up on the doffer to the proper condition for piecing, the signal flag rises, indicating to the operator that the machine is ready for piecing and resumption of carding.

It is thus apparent that the stripping mechanism hereinbefore described provides substantially complete automatic operation, the services of the operator being required only at the start, to initiate the stripping operation, and again after the stripping, when the sliver has been built up suiciently for piecing. By employing timing mechanism of novel and improved arrangement, a simple and readily adjustable control of the stripping operation is provided to insure full stripping of the doffer in the minimum time.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a `carding machine, pneumatic stripping mechanism including a nozzle, traversing mechanism for the nozzle, aV suctionV valve, means for applying suction to the nozzle including a flexible suction conduit between the valve and the nozzle, valve-control means mounted on the nozzle for traversing movement therewith, exi-ble connections betwecn said means and the suction valve, timing means operated by rotation of the doffer, and actuating connections extending from the timing means to a ypoint adjacent the suction nozzle at the limit of its traverse and engaging the Valve-control means upon completion of nozzle traverse, said connections being actuated by the timing mechanism a predetermined number of revolutions of the doffer after completion Aof the traverse to operate the valve-control means onthe nozzle and shut the suction valve.

2. In a carding machine, pneumatic stripping mechanism including a nozzle, traversing means for the nozzle, means for applying suction to the nozzle, a 'suction control valve, and timing mechanism having connections for effecting suction valve'shut-off and feed re-connectionafter a stripping operation, said mechanism comprising a :pawl actuated upon each revolution ofk the doier, a ratchet advanced by the pawl, a latch disc in control of suction shut-off and feed reconnection,l a latch locking the latch disc during strip-ping', means on the ratchet for releasingthe latch to effect suction shut-olf and feed re-iconnection, and means for adjusting the effective length of the ratchet to cause release of the latch a predetermined number of revolutions of the doffer after completion o-f nozzle traverse.

3. In a carding machine, pneumatic stripping ingles-,255

to the nozzle, a suction control valve,f'andztiming mechanismhaving Jconnections for eiecting: suction 'valvelshut-oif and. ieed:re.-connection fafter afstripping y operation, -saidimechanism compris- ;ing apaWl actuated .upon eachfrevolution` of the ldofer, fa Yratchet disc, va latch disc-concentric ftherewith and rotatable vto efectzsucton valve shut-olf and :feed re-connection, a, latch 'locking ,the :latch :disc :against rotation :during stripping, fand .means on the-ratchet disc iorsdisengaging the `latch from .the latch disc to-eifect suction shut-oli .andffeed sre+connection in. timed Vrelation .to the number ofrevolutions of the zdoffer.

f- 4.1111 a ;cardingI machine, pneumatic stripping `mechanism including va nozzle,` traversing. mechanism for the nozzle,:means `for applyingsuction :toit-he nozzle, a suction control valve, and timing :mechanism having connections for :effecting suctionvalve'shut-off and feed're-co-nnection after a stripping operation, said .mechanismf comprising a Ipawl actuated upon each revolution. -oi the dotier, ratchet disc, al latch disc concentric therewithV and rotatable to-ieiect suctionvalve -shut-oif and ufeed re-connection, a -latch locking the latchwdisc against rotation-'during stripping, .arelease pin on: the ratchet disc-forz-disengaging .the latchat 'the limit of fadvancevoii theratchet -disc `by the pawl, and.an adjustablestop fixing the initial setting ofthe ratchetfdiscfto control the eivective lengtho-f the ratchetfclisc vengageable bythe pawl.

v `5.v .Inf a carding machine, pneumatic stripping mechanism Vincluding a nozzle, traversing. means for the'nozzle, meansxfor applying `suction tothe nozzle, -a suction control vallve,.and timing. mechanism 'having connectionsfor efiectingtsuction valve shut-off and feed -re-iconnection iafter a stripping operation, said mechanism-comprising apawl actuated upon each yrevolution oiithe doier, a ratchet advanced by the pavvl,V a latch ldisc i-n controlof suction shut-oi and `feedfreconnection, a latch locking thelatch disc-'during stripping, means ion the ratchet for releasing the latch to-elect suction shut-off andieed reconnection upon timed advanceof the ratchet by the pawl, and supplemental latchingcmeans associated with the pawl for locking the `latch disc in feed-disconnected position and for locking the pawl out of operative engagement with the ratchet to permit continued rotation of thedoffer with the feed disconnected.

6. In a carding machine, pneumatic stripping mechanism including a nozzle, traversing mechanism for the -nozzle, a suction valve, means .urging the valve'toclosed position, a latch for Aholding the valve open against the urging of said means, a flexible suction conduit between the suction valve and the nozzle, latch-actuating means `mounted on the nozzle for traversing movement therewith, flexible connections between the latch and said latch actuating means, timing means operated in timed relation to doier rotation, and actuating connections extendngfrom the timing means to a point adjacent the Vnozzle at the limit of its traverse and engaging the latchactuatingmeans on said nozzle upon vcompletion of nozzle traverse for releasing the latch to shut 'olf suction afterrnozzle traverse and actuation'of the timing means.

'7. A suction control valve for a carding machine `comprising a valve body having a valve passage therethrough a rotatable valve plate having an vaperture therein adapted .to register with fthe valve passage When the valve is open, -a worm engaging gear teeth in the valve platefor rotating the plate .into and out of open position,l .means for rotatably `urging the worm to one positionof the valve, and a pull cord for eiiecting rotation of the worm to the other position of the valve, the worm threads terminating in shoulders adapted to engage the valveplate beyond the-gear iteeth tolimit the range of movement ofthe valve plate.

v8. .Ina carding machine, pneumatic-stripping mechanism including a nozzle, traversing mechanism yfor the nozzle, a suction control valve, main timing means operating in timed relation to rotation of the doier for controlling suction'shutoff and feed re-connection following astripping operation, and supplementary timing means having a signal device controlled thereby and initiated in operation by feed reconnection to actuate the signal device upon completion of a. predetermined number of revolutions of the doffer iollowing completion of stripping and resumption of feed.

9. In a earding machine, pneumatic stripping mechanism including a nozzle, nozzle traversing mechanism, a suction control valve, a feed shaft, an eccentric bearing therefor rotatable to connect'and disconnect the feed anddoifer shafts, and timing mechanism mounted on said bearingand in control of rotation thereof to effect reconnection of the feed and suction valve. shutoff upon completion by the dofler of a predetermined number of revolutions, said timing mech- Vanism comprising a latchdisc secured to the bearing, a latch locking the latch disc in feed-disconnected'position of the bearing, means rotatably urging the latch disc and bearing into feed-connected position, a ratchet disc rotatable on .the bushing, a lost-motion connection between ratchet disc and latch disc comprising pin and arcuate slot, a stop adjustable relative to the slot tolimit the eiective length thereof, a pawl actuated by rotation of the doffer shaft to advance the ratchet disc step-Wise, and a latch plate associated With the latch and engaged by the pin for disengaging the -latch from the latch disc to terminate .the timed period and reconnect the feed.

CHARLES E'. -WHITE ERNEST CLARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oirecordin the fileof -this patent:

FOREIGN PATENTS Number s Country Date .13,376 Great Britain 1912 v189,308 Great Britain s Nov. '30, 1922 OTHER REFERENCES White (of recd in spec.) 2,281,344, Apr. 28, 1942. 

